The Cabinet of Enfield Council met on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, approving several key strategies and plans. Decisions included the adoption of the Council Housing Service Plan for 2026/2027, the approval of the Digital Services Portfolio for 2026/2027, and the endorsement of the Exempt Supported Accommodation Strategy. The Cabinet also agreed to the distribution of the Crisis and Resilience Fund and approved an updated Corporate Complaints Policy.

SSCB Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2026-35

The Cabinet approved the Enfield Safer Stronger Communities Board Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2026-35. This ten-year strategy, developed with input from partner agencies, community groups, and survivors of domestic abuse, aims to create a borough where all residents live free from domestic abuse and violence against women and girls. The strategy adopts a public health approach, focusing on prevention, response to immediate risk, and long-term support. It outlines four key priorities: supporting victims and survivors, understanding and tackling root causes, responding to evolving forms of harassment and violence, and holding perpetrators accountable. The strategy aligns with the Council Plan priorities for Strong, Healthy, and Safe Communities and Thriving Children and Young People. Funding for core Violence Against Women and Girls services is primarily through external grants, with the Council directly funding two posts.

Digital Services Portfolio - 26/27

The Cabinet agreed to the Council's digital investment portfolio for 2026/2027, allocating £6.71 million to support the Council's Digital, Data and AI Strategy. This investment aims to improve resident access to services, enable more efficient and responsive services, and enhance data-driven decision-making. Key projects include the transformation of Revenues and Transactional Services, improvements to the Planning System, foundational infrastructure upgrades, and a cyber security programme. The portfolio is designed to deliver value for money and enable savings across service budgets. The Chief Executive has been delegated authority to vary the portfolio and procure necessary contracts.

Corporate Complaints Policy

An updated Corporate Complaints Policy was approved, aligning with the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman's Complaints Handling Code and incorporating feedback from the Housing Ombudsman. A key change is the reduction of the Stage 2 investigation timescale from 30 to 20 working days, a standard already in place for Council Housing complaints. The policy aims to ensure complaints are handled consistently, fairly, and effectively, with a focus on organisational learning and service improvement. A new complaints case management system is set to launch in April 2026 to enhance customer experience.

Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF)

The Cabinet agreed to the distribution of the £7.4 million annual Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) for the period April 2026 to March 2029. This fund replaces and combines the Household Support Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments. The allocation includes £1.67 million for Discretionary Housing Payments in the first two years. The fund will be distributed across various areas, including a Council Tax Support Hardship Fund, application-based support for essentials like food and energy, support for care leavers, assistance with rent deposits and removal costs, and funding for community coordination services. The strategy emphasizes a cash-first, person-centred approach to support households facing acute hardship and building long-term resilience.

Council Housing Service Plan 2026/2027

The Cabinet approved the Council Housing Service Plan for 2026/2027, which outlines the service's performance over the past year and its plans for the upcoming year. The plan focuses on improving homes and services for tenants, building on a C1 rating from the Regulator of Social Housing. Key priorities include enhancing tenant involvement and communication, ensuring safety and quality in properties, fair tenancy allocation, neighbourhood improvements, and strengthening the capacity and skills of housing staff. The plan also addresses findings from the Housing Ombudsman and Tenant Satisfaction Measures, with a particular focus on improving communication. An updated Assurance Framework, including the launch of a new Council Housing Board, was also approved to provide stakeholder oversight.

Exempt Supported Accommodation Strategy

The Cabinet approved the Exempt Supported Accommodation Strategy and its accompanying Commissioning Framework. This strategy aims to raise standards in exempt supported accommodation, meet local needs, and reduce reliance on expensive temporary accommodation. It introduces a preferred provider status for providers who meet defined standards and approves an investment of £648,000 over 12 months to secure additional exempt supported accommodation lets. This investment is projected to deliver significant cost savings to the council by preventing and relieving homelessness. The strategy also prepares Enfield for the implementation of the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023. The PRS & Supported Housing Board has been delegated authority to approve procurement of providers and manage payment by milestones arrangements.